In a recent thread, a poster asked what tools and parts should be carried in the car at all times. Chinarider stepped up to the plate and posted an exhaustive list of tools and parts. With only a few hand tools tied up in an oily rag under the hood of my Thing, I thought I'd better get serious and sort things out. I kept track of most of the tools I use for a tune-up and used that as a basis. The photos below are the results of my ruminations. Chinarider's kit still puts mine to shame, but hey, I had to leave something in the tool box! While my kit is more modest, it's well beyond minimal. I consider it to be the essentials, plus. It consists of a tool roll and a plastic container.

That looks like an incredible kit! I applaud you for thinking forward- not just "having every tool", but having specific tools for specific needs.

I do see a few things you are missing though, that I think are important. I'll mention them here- pick and choose if you think they are valid for your outings.

#1 - Bailing Wire.
This has huge numbers of uses. You can tie a door shut if the latch breaks. You can wire a wheel if you need to hold a car and a parking brake cable broke. Lost the accelerator cable? Punch a hole through the rear firewall and run a new line - pull to go. There's hundreds of uses.

#2 - Rubber Bands.
I've used 'em to replace carb springs, and have even used one to replace a choke that died in the middle of winter. They can also be used to keep lines/wires out of the belts, and other misc purposes.

#3 - Electrical and/or Duct Tape.
Works great for its intended purposes, but can also be used for all kinds of fastening tasks. You can tape up vacuum ports if you lose a line or a plug. You can seal things from the elements.

#4 - Wire.
You never know what kinds of electrical problems you might have. A small spool of wire might be handy.

#10 - Brake Fluid.
If you have a line failure, such as a flex line burst, you can always crimp the hard line and keep going on three brakes. But if the fluid all drains out of that circuit, you're down to two wheels only. It wouldn't take a large amount to get you going (or rather, stopping) again.

#11 - Spare Lug Bolts/Nuts.
Stock hubcaps do a good job catching them if they work their way out, but with aftermarket wheels, you might not be so lucky. Just a few spare lugs and a socket to fit might come in handy.

I did a quick scan of the other forums, and none have a sticky for "Stuff to Bring on a Long (or Short) Trip", even the Baywindow Forum! Therefore, I think it would make a good sticky, either in the General forum, or the Shows/Events/Camping forum.

Was a flashlight mentioned? I remember sending some of you one of those clip type lamps that plug into the Thing accesory socket. It contained about 10 feet of cord to allow light at each of the four wheels.

Was a flashlight mentioned? I remember sending some of you one of those clip type lamps that plug into the Thing accesory socket. It contained about 10 feet of cord to allow light at each of the four wheels.

Flashlight to light up the engine compartment at night.

Those headband (miner style) kind are great -- it points where you look, hands-free!

I use my car as a daily driver but its usually less than 5 miles in the city daily to and from school.

AAA card is all I need.

I do have a spare in the trunk, but was thinking of getting a small donut tire, the ones that come with modern cars. Could fit all the glass windows in there then. Possibly taking out the heater, it doesnt work anyhow and it never really gets cold in SF.

The front end damge sustained by the PO knocked the jack stands off the back of the apron, the jack is still in the bottom of the trunk.

Captain Spalding, that is nice organization. Where did you get the compartment box? I have not seen those, but maybe I am not looking in the right places. Also, especially for off road vehicles, why not a folding shovel? I found that you can get them at military surplus stores, and the measure about 8" by 9" folded. I carry one no matter what the auto, and could be used for multiple things, including breaking out of an auto, digging the auto out, and building a fire pit.

Last month I was out thingin' by the river with my girlfriend. We saw this 10 foot tall sand embankment and for some reason I decided that it would be fun to drive over it. I guess I was a little overzealous and let my senses get a hold of me. To make a long story short, I drove off the dirt road, drove for about 40 ft. in the sand and was stuck for almost two hours. It isn't fun trying to did yourself out with your hands. I bought my folding shovel after this, but I don't plan on ever having to use it._________________Is that the new Hummer!